Hunting in Tennessee: 5 Things to Know Before Applying for a Hunting Permit for Adults

Hunting in Tennessee began long before the area became a state. Except for the few major urban areas, Tennessee provides great places to hunt various types of big and small game.

The climate coupled with the vast amount of wooded areas offers a perfect habitat for animals such as turkey. This allows hunters the opportunity to hunt year-round for different species.

According to CraveOnline, the state is also full of many hunting traditions. One very unique tradition is the “Tennessee Bear Hunt,” where people, sometimes full families, go out with their dogs and hunt for black bears in the Smoky Mountains.

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This is a great way for hunters and their children to bond while participating in an exciting chase for the black bears, while at the same time helping the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s aim to thin out the bear population.

However, before hunters in Tennessee think about going on the bear hunt, however, they need a hunting license. Here are five things to know before applying for an adult hunting permit.

1. Who Needs a License?
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency requires a valid hunting license “if you hunt game or attempt to hunt game by any method or if you assist someone else to do so ...” This comes with a few caveats. A hunter does not need a license if they are born before March 1, 1926, if they are military personnel on leave, or are landowners who hunt on their own farmland.

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2. When Can the Permits be Purchased?
The permits go on sale in mid-February of each year and are valid through the end of February of the next calendar year.

3. Is There a Difference Between a Hunting Permit and a Hunting License?
Yes. Every person who is going to purchase a hunting permit must have a hunting license before the purchase is made.

4. Are All Permits the Same?
No. Every hunter needs to purchase a permit for the specific game they are hunting, whether it is big game bears or migratory birds, for example.

5. How Much Do Permits Cost?
Most permits cost under $50. However, there is a significant range, and permits for non-residents cost about $200.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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